Download & Print
May 6, 2025
Today in Texas History
On this day in 1864, former Texas merchant Leopold Karpeles was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the battle of the Wilderness.
Karpeles was born in Prague, Bohemia, in 1838. In 1849, he emigrated to Texas, settling with his older brother in Galveston, where he worked as a merchant. In 1861, his opposition to slavery and secession led him to leave Texas for Massachusetts.
He enlisted in the 46th Massachusetts Infantry in 1862, mustered out in 1863, and enlisted in the 57th Massachusetts Infantry in the spring of 1864.
At several crucial stages of the battle of the Wilderness, during which his regiment lost 262 of its 548 men, Karpeles exposed himself to enemy fire by climbing up on stumps and rallying the regiment around its colors. He was badly wounded a few weeks later and spent most of the next year in military hospitals before being discharged in May 1865.
In 1870, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Wilderness. Karpeles died in 1909.
Karpeles was born in Prague, Bohemia, in 1838. In 1849, he emigrated to Texas, settling with his older brother in Galveston, where he worked as a merchant. In 1861, his opposition to slavery and secession led him to leave Texas for Massachusetts.
He enlisted in the 46th Massachusetts Infantry in 1862, mustered out in 1863, and enlisted in the 57th Massachusetts Infantry in the spring of 1864.
At several crucial stages of the battle of the Wilderness, during which his regiment lost 262 of its 548 men, Karpeles exposed himself to enemy fire by climbing up on stumps and rallying the regiment around its colors. He was badly wounded a few weeks later and spent most of the next year in military hospitals before being discharged in May 1865.
In 1870, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Wilderness. Karpeles died in 1909.